New citizenship exam to begin

ND alum heads office that oversaw revisions to test.

ND alum heads office that oversaw revisions to test.

September 14, 2008|JOSEPH DITS Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- On Oct. 1, there will be a new test for those applying to become citizens of the United States. The old test hadn't been touched since 1986. Alfonso Aguilar talked about it with The Tribune while he visited the University of Notre Dame for a naturalization ceremony Friday for 195 people. He's chief of the Office of Citizenship for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. And he's a Notre Dame alum, having earned a bachelor's degree in government and international relations there in 1991, plus a law degree in 1995 in his native Puerto Rico. He says his office offers lots of educational materials for immigrants to integrate and become civically involved. Lots of information about the new test can be found on the Web site www.uscis.gov. And there's a Web site to help immigrants integrate into society: www.welcometousa.gov. You can look for an English class in your ZIP code and find ways to volunteer. There's also information about education, health care, child care and government benefits. And there are tools for studying for the citizenship test. Q: So, why the new test? A: We needed a better tool to encourage civic learning and attachment to the community. Q: What's wrong with the old test? A: The content is very poor. ... It's just rote memorization and not understanding. Q: What's better about the new one? A: It measures what the law requires: basic knowledge of English and civics and history. More than that, it's a tool to encourage civic learning and understanding. Q: Give me an example of how the old and new tests differ. A: The old test asked for the colors of the flag. ... More important, on the new test we ask what does the flag mean. We asked on the old test what form you fill out to become a citizen. On the new test we ask about the separation of powers, checks and balances and inalienable rights. It's more concept oriented. It's less about mere facts. Q: How did you create the new test? A: We had a panel of adult educators who helped develop the questions. We piloted it last year in 10 different cities. Ninety-two percent passed it. Q: How many people pass the old test on the first try? A: Eighty-four percent. Q: What do you take from that comparison? A: It shows that this test may be easier even though it's better. You don't want to create a country of people rejected from citizenship. This is the first time this country has had a good, standardized test. Q: What was the closest city to South Bend where you piloted the new test? A: I believe Kansas City. ... We looked at big (cities), medium (cities) and small (cities). Q: What happens if you fail the test? A: If you fail the test two times, then you have to file another application to become a citizen -- then take the test again. Q: So, the test was last revised in 1986? A: When the test was first given around the turn of the century (about 1900), it was just random questions. In 1986, a test with specific questions and answers was developed for the first time. Q: Other than the test preparation kits, what are you doing to help people prepare for the new test? A: We have trained this past year over 2,000 people -- educators and volunteers all over the country who normally prepare people for the exam. For them to make sure they know how to teach people in the new test. This truly is an effort to step up and help people to integrate.Staff writer Joseph Dits: jdits@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6158